Rosario DiGirolamo Pleads Guilty to Murdering NYC Mistress, on Eve of Trial

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) The case became known as the "Missing Mom" murder after Amy Giordano's dismembered body was found in a New York City pond and her 11-month-old son was abandoned in the parking lot of a Delaware hospital in 2007 - on Monday Giordano's married lover, Rosario DiGirolamo, pleaded guilty to her murder.

DiGirolamo now faces a 25-year prison sentence after his admission in state Superior Court. Jury selection in the case had been scheduled to begin Tuesday.

DiGirolamo pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in the June 2007 death. Prosecutors contend DiGirolamo chopped up Giordano's body with a hacksaw after she was dead, then stuffed some of the remains in a suitcase and dropped it in a Staten Island pond. DiGirolamo then left the couple's 11-month-old son in the parking lot of a Delaware hospital.

The boy was soon identified after a tipster recognized him as Giordano's child.

Giordano was living with the couple's son in an apartment in Hightstown when she vanished. Authorities said DiGirolamo was paying the $850 a month rent and was frequently seen at the apartment.

DiGirolamo was married to another woman at the time.

At the plea hearing, DiGirolamo said he and Giordano had fought on the day of her death and that he struck her with a hammer as she lunged at him.

Shortly after Giordano disappeared, DiGirolamo abandoned his family, quit his job and flew to Italy, where he remained for about six weeks before returning to face child abandonment charges. He later pleaded guilty and was fined.

DiGirolamo had spent the last two years under home confinement at his parents' home in Brooklyn after posting $1 million bail. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 3.